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Folks, we have decided to change our much loved van because it has rear bunks which have been great but now the kids are growing up they're not practical anymore. I was set to exchange my Elddis Avante Club and upgrade to the Elddis Crusader fixed bed rear bathroom until when I went for second look I decided to have a look at a new Swift, big mistake!!

We were taken with it immediatley and finally settled for the Challenger model but cannot decide on whether the 570 (fixed bed end bathroom) or the 580 (island bed mid bathroom). One of our children will still be coming with us so my head says the 580 for nightime toilet use etc. and all round bed access is great. But the 570 is much more open and feel bigger inside for daytime use.

I have opted to have the panaramic window in the front, even though I know it doesn't have much use, it looks great!!!

So anybody who has similar layouts to the above and willing to offer any pros and cons please repsond.

Thanks for reading and roll on April!!

We have a 560, the forerunner to the new (not so good) 580.

I would go for the 580 as we hated climbing over each other to get out of bed when we had the 570 design. We got rid of it after 6 months.

Also the bathroom in the centre is a much better idea as nobody is disturbed in the night. The rear bathrooms are OK but they do take up quite a lot of room and they are a long way from the heater!!!!!!

Quote: Originally posted by rd57chad on 21/1/2011

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without a question the 570 ! the bathroom on the 580 is too small and the van feels a lot more cramped with the bathroom in the middle . I agree though the bathroom on the 570 is hard to keep warm & the side mounted fixed bed is a bit of a nuisance getting in & out of if you sleep on the wall side ( I don't but the wife does complain about it )

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We have a Charisma 550 which is the same layout as the 570, just a bit shorter in length  and we love it, the bathroom is great  and plenty of room at the side to get past.  If your child is young then he could use one of the front seats or make up into a double just for overnight.  Thats what we do if we take our teenagers in the colder months, otherwise they go outside in a Tent.

We want the Sterling Eccles Quartz which is the fixed bed layout. We had been set on the side fixed bed but decided on the island bed because it would be much easier for both to get in/out of bed. Plus hubby is 6'4" and in the island bed his feet can hang over the edge (as at home) but with the side fixed bed there is nowhere for his feet to go!

Unfortunately haven't got the funds this year unless the stock market improves! Going to Manchester show tomorrow to have a look again!

Thanks for your comments and we have considered most of the conundrums you have mentioned, I think the 570 is going to win on the basis that I dont usually get out of bed in the night and neither does our son and the airey, open feel of the 570 appeals to me more than the 580 which I do like but the bathroom to me as a bit intrusive from the side of the caravan, plus I would probably end up taking two tv's as you can't see it in the bedroom etc. which you can with the 570.

Spoke to them today and fingers crossed delivery in March.

I'll be back to let you know how it goes.

Roll on Easter!!